Thousands of women have joined The Hairy Legs Movement online, uploading photographs of their hairy limbs onto Instagram, tumblr and other social networks in protest against social expectations of women.

Tumblr blogs including The Hairy Legs Club and Very Hairy Legs are quickly gathering followers, who are proudly showing off their au natural limbs this summer.

“I refuse to conform to beauty standards set by people nothing to do with me,” posted one anonymous blogger on The Very Hairy Legs tumblr account.

On The Hairy Legs Club page, one poster wrote: “Everyone around me thinks they’re gross except my sweet, sweet boyfriend, but I feel that it’s important for me to grow them out not only for myself on my journey to self-love and acceptance, but also for other people who might be ashamed of theirs as I once was.”

The followers of the new trend are perhaps braver than the general populace and it’s yet to be seen whether hairy legs will translate onto Irish beaches this summer.